Ag Policy Blog

As the federal government once again careens towards a shutdown, authority for some farm bill programs also expires after Sept. 30 as well.

USDA has not provided details about its shutdown plans, but the department did highlight some work will cease on Wednesday because farm-bill authorization has expired.

Staff at USDA, posting on social media platforms, say they have received little information as of the end of business Monday about shutdown plans.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, speaking last week at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, Mo., said on the government shutdown, "we are fully prepared for that." She added, "I believe, sincerely, that the incredible and important programs, especially that help our farmers, that those will continue – that those shouldn't be affected by the shutdown, but we are still working out all of the details."

CRP WORK SUSPENDED

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has sent a notice to state and county offices that the agency's authority to administer the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ends after Tuesday as well. Congress has not passed farm bill legislation to extend the program beyond FY 2025.

FSA notified counties there will be no processing or approval of new offers or re-enrollments. If new legislation reauthorizes USDA's authority to administer CRP, a new notice will be issued. All work on CRP stops, including asking Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff to visit land and develop site plans.

A shutdown combined with the suspension of several farm-bill programs also likely leads to a likely halt on any loan or grant applications at FSA, Rural Development or other agencies as well.

DATA COLLECTION -- WASDE

Data collection generally ends during a shutdown at agencies such as the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The Crop Progress report for Oct. 6 could be immediately affected. At least two shutdowns in the past 2018-19 and 2013 forced USDA to suspend the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) for one month as well.

REDUCING STAFF DURING SHUTDOWN?

Politico also reported USDA officials are preparing for more layoffs if the government does shut down this week as well. USDA submitted a plan to the White House that includes a reduction-in-force provision, Politico reported.

Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued a statement last week over the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) outlining a plan to use the shutdown for layoffs.

"The Trump administration has already taken an axe to 15 percent of USDA's workforce this year due to the administration's shortsighted, ill-informed actions," Craig said. "To now threaten additional mass firings -- in the middle of an economic crisis in farm country -- is malicious and cruel and would only further the pain in farm country. I've had enough with how much this administration says it loves farmers. And enough of my Republican colleagues who continue to do whatever this administration wants -- no matter the cost to rural communities and the ag economy."

The Trump administration had proposed last spring to eliminate funding and cut back an array of programs and staff at USDA starting in the FY 2026 budget.

LAST SHUTDOWN

In December 2018, the federal government shutdown and did not officially reopen until Jan. 25, 2019. That was 35 days and remains the longest government shutdown in history. The holidays limited much of the initial impact and FSA offices stayed open until the end of December.

FSA offices were closed in January and USDA canceled or delayed the release of several reports, including the January WASDE.

During that shutdown, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspectors continued to work, keeping federally inspected meatpacking plants operating as well.

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

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